Militia 1

THE LUDLOW MASSACRE

Prelude to the Massacre: Militia

Escalating violence in the strike zone and pressure from the coal companies led to Governor Ammons calling out the militia in October 1913. Most of the militia leadership was sympathetic to the coal companies. This, combined with a number of other factors, led to the militia becoming compromised and essentially indistinguishable from the coal company mine guards and private detectives.

A militia camp.

Detail of camp.

General Chase (left), a Denver opthalmogist, Commander of the militia. Chase had previously been involved in the suppression of the 1904 Cripple Creek strike.

A young militiaman.

Militia officers.

Patrick Hamrock, led the militia at the Ludlow Massacre (detail).

Karl Linderfeldt, militia leader at the Ludlow Massacre (detail).

Militia on horseback. Karl Linderfeldt is on the right.